Help with requesting increases and adding SC problems

[Wile E Coyote]

Good day folks, 

I'm sitting at the computer 3 days post right knee surgery by a private doc and hospital paid for by VA through their ARCH program. I'm SC 30% total for "Residuals, Reiter's syndrome, with loss of..." with specifics for neck, left shoulder, right ankle, and thoracolumbar spine. My right knee was not counted in my disabilities, however anyone who knows autoimmune spondylarthropathies like Reiter's syndrome aka Reactive Arthritis or it's close cousin Ankylosing Spondylitis know how widespread the problems can get. I also had long bouts of Iritis that has left one pupil irregular and very sensitive to sunlight. I started a temporary 100% disability claim for convalescence since I'm expected to be out for 3 months (lots of walking, lifting, bending in my job with no chance for 'light duty'. Does the surgeon's note have to have any key phrases to make this convalescence claim legit?

Will there be a problem with the convalescence claim if it's not  a currently compensated disability?

That knee has pages and pages of military health records showing treatments like steroid injections, etc all directly related to my underlying Reactive Arthritis. On the same claim form I'm requesting SC for the iritis and worsening neck symptoms causing radiculopathy down the left arm. Again, the disability verbiage refers to residuals, with loss of motion to cervical spine, so should the radiculopathy be a new claim or a worsening of the current one?

Edited June 4, 2016 by Wile E Coyote

[broncovet]

Good question.  Is there a reason why you did not apply for knee arthritis secondary to your sc condtion(s), or direct service connect??  If you have not done so (applied for SC for your knees) the obvious answer is to do so with your 100% convalescence rating. 

[Wile E Coyote]

Yes, I should add a request for SC of my right knee with this convalescence claim, the surgeon told me in post-op recovery that I had "a ton of scar tissue" under my patella, and my right thigh is 1.5 in smaller in diam than my healthier left leg.

I've not filed for everything that's been wrong with me, as i wasn't combat wounded, i have been able to work ft, have private insurance, etc. and for me, that's an important distinction. I get "the speech" about "fighting for everything you're owed" most every time this comes up at a VA appt for two decades now. I feel greedy or that I'm taking resources away from combat wounded vets. 30% has been enough in my eyes, but lately my health has clearly affected my ability to work  (out for 3 months this time) and overall quality of life has declined.

I'm on two immunosuppressive meds to keep my iritis in check, what does it take to get SC for iritis?

Edited June 5, 2016 by Wile E Coyote